Police flood Cairo streets in anticipation of austerity protests

There is heavy police presence built on the usually quiet streets of central Cairo in anticipation of popular protests over deteriorating economic conditions.

According to reports, there is also heavy security presence in other areas of Cairo, such as the Shubra district, and other major cities across the country including Alexandria, Suez, and Minya.

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“Between you and me, this is good,” said Shenouda Ishak, a driver in Shubra. “I don’t think anything will happen but this security presence scares people and ensures nothing does.”

Calls for the protests had been made since August, but gained traction on social media last week after Egypt raised fuel prices and floated its currency – a move welcomed by bankers but bemoaned by ordinary people as the latest blow to their diminishing spending power in a country that relies on imports.

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